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Protecting Powell River's Parks

In June 2010, Sierra Club members in Powell River halted the logging of a city park slated to become a race track. Spotting of a heron's nest stopped the destruction- now the city is reconsidering the race track location. And two of the four fledglings survived to leave the nest! The City of Powell River is now considering another location for the running track. They are also considering a by-law prohibiting cutting down trees within city limits between the months of April and August.

The Heron Story

In June 2010, Sierra Club members in Powell River halted the logging of a city park slated to become a race track.

Sierra Malaspina members and concerned citizens were at the logging site, witnessing the destruction of a pristine ecosystem filled with migratory birds, when two herons came swooping over the site. The group spotted a heron’s nest in an alder tree about to be cut. They raised the alarm and the city contractor halted work. Another heron nest was later spotted in the immediate vicinity. Read the story in the Powell River Peak.

One of the surviving heron fledglings. Photo: John Zaikow

Thanks to the prompt action of Sierra Malaspina members, the nests were saved and two out of the four fledglings survived to leave the nest.

The City of Powell River is now considering another location for the running track. They are also considering a by-law prohibiting cutting down trees within city limits between the months of April and August.

The citizens of Powell River – along with the herons - have now lost three-quarters of a pristine ecosystem right in the heart of the city. To the City’s credit, they have realised their mistake and are now willing to do the right thing. This is an opportunity to save what remains of the park, and to make sure that endangered and migratory birds have sufficient habitat to rear their young and be protected from disturbance.

In addition, Sierra Malaspina is asking that the proposed by-law prohibiting cutting April to August be extended to the whole watershed, which harbours many rare and migratory birds.